6 May 2026
EventWebinar: Lifelong Learning in Africa – Valuing knowledge and traditions to build learning societies
6 May 2026 – 10:00 am
– 6 May 2026 – 11:30 am
Rooms :Online
Type :Cat VIII – Symposia
Arrangement type :Virtual
Contact :Katja Roemer
As lifelong learning continues to gain prominence as a guiding principle for education systems worldwide, there is increasing recognition of the need to anchor policies and practices in local sociocultural realities. In Africa, this implies acknowledging the diversity of knowledge systems, modes of transmission, and the role of community-based learning traditions, as well as the importance of African languages in shaping access to, and production of, knowledge.
Despite the existence of major international and continental frameworks supporting lifelong learning, education systems in Africa remain significantly influenced by external models and often insufficiently reflect endogenous knowledge and practices. This raises important questions regarding the relevance, inclusivity and effectiveness of current approaches, as well as the need to address the decolonization of knowledge within education systems.
Organized by UIL in partnership with FAATLV, this webinar will provide a platform for multidisciplinary exchange among researchers, policymakers and practitioners. The discussion will explore the cultural and anthropological foundations of learning in African societies, highlight the role of endogenous knowledge and languages, and examine pathways for transforming education systems to better reflect the continent’s realities. The event will also contribute to identifying strategic orientations to inform lifelong learning policies and practices in Africa.
Date and time
6 May 2026, 10:00–11:30 (GMT+1)
Registration
Zoom: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86530428573?pwd=jiSsRnGMws4p1VRjTPj5pZPNDbDmfL.1
Language
French
Concept Note (in French)
Programme
10:00–10:10– Opening remarks:
Mr Aziz Kaichouh, President, African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (FAATLV)
10:10–10:30 – Session 1: Understanding the foundations of learning in Africa: current approaches and sociocultural realities
Mr Adama Ouane, former Minister of Education of Mali; former Director, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning; formal Administrator of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF)
10:30–10:50 – Session 2: Valuing African learning re
Mr Mamadou Ndoye, former Minister of Education of Senegal; former Executive Secretary, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA); member of the Scientific Committee of UNESCO’s General History of Africa project
10:50–11:10 – Session 3: Transforming education systems in Africa: decolonizing knowledge and building learning societies
Mr Judicaël Alladatin, Professor of Education Planning and Management
11:10–11:25 – Discussion and moderated exchange
11:25 –11:30 – Closing remarks
Co-hosted with:
African Foundation for Lifelong Learning
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